Nautical Research Journal
T e last major connection between the pontoon and the nacelles is the hydrofoil. I cut a piece of boxwood 1/4-inch thick, a bit wider than the chord (approximately 2 centimeters), and about two feet long. T e main hydrofoil is about fi ſt een inches long, the rear one about four inches. Aſt er marking the foil shape on one end of the slat, I repeatedly ran it across my table saw to mill the basic shape. (Figure 15) T e extra width of the slat allowed it to sit fl at on the table saw for this operation. Next, I sanded the fi nal foil shape, except for the leading and trailing edges, which was done aſt er parting the mostly formed hydrofoil from the extra material. (Figure16)
12. Engine pylon.
Four brass plates with tubes to accept the harness rods were assembled and connected to the foils. T e hydrofoils could then be attached to their proper locations. At this point I also chose to fi nish the hydrofoils, pontoon, and nacelles with boiled linseed oil. (Figure 17)
Engine and Associated Plumbing
T e Santos-Dumont No. 18 Hydroplane was propelled by a V16 Antoinette engine. Unfortunately, like plans to the hydroplane, it seems that plans and exact dimensions for these engines built by Levasseur no longer exist. T ere are several photographs of these engines and some specimens still exist. It also is the case that the Antoinette engine designs were in a nearly permanent state of fl ux, with modifi cations being made oſt en. Of course, there were a lot of commonalities at the same time. So, what I ended up with is more of a representation of the power plant as opposed to an accurate scale model of it. However, I do believe that the most prominent elements of the engine have been captured. Besides photographs in public domain, I was privileged in having Professor Lins de Barros provide me with a pair of close-up well-detailed original pictures of the engine. Further help on modeling the engine together with the coolant and fueling systems was provided by the Antionette engine expert William Pearce at Old Machine Press.
15
13. Rear hydrofoil harness.
14. Pontoon harness and pylon structure painted.
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